A Tropical Heart Wave

Hi, everyone!

The current CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to make a card featuring hearts in summer colors.

When I think of summer, I think of the Sun against a blue sky on the ocean horizon. So, my first thought was to have a heart-shaped orange Sun against a light blue background. Then, the lyrics to an oldie-but-goodie came to my mind, resulting in the card below.

cardstock: AC/Bazzill/Cardstock Warehouse Paper Co
computer-generated original sentiment
EK triple heart and SU small heart punches
sun rays: AC trimmer with wave blade

I have to say, I was having second thoughts half-way through this card. But, I'm really quite pleased with the way this turned out. Thanks to hubby for some helpful suggestions.  :)

Parting Thoughts

There's a big 4th of July VCMP going on over at Operation Write Home this weekend. The more the merrier!

And, fellow OWHer Bobbi and I have started a word-inspired, monthly card-making challenge blog. We'd love for you to join us at Words 2 Scrap By for our Oh, La, La July challenge.  :)

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Some Bunny Loves Me

Hi, everyone!

A rare weekday post for me. Took a quick break from Father's Day cards to revisit a paper-pieced bunny from a while ago for two challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash's challenge to make a card featuring paper piecing and
• CAS-ual Friday's challenge to make a project featuring ovals.

Stampin' Up! dp; Distress Ink core weathered wood and vintage photo; ??? beige
SU oval and owl punches
Creative Memories circle and oval cutting system; Maevy circle punch
edges sponged in Distress Ink vintage photo
Zig chocolate pen; adhesives: Recollection foam and Glossy Accents
Inside Sentiment: Some Bunny Loves Me

Hoping this little non-Easter bunny card will bring a big smile to the face of one a little one when he/she receives it from an Operation Write Home mom/dad.

As always, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

{Ovals}, Insects, and TPC Studio sentiments

Hi, everyone.

Boy, what a pretty day here. A little brisk, but sunny and warm enough for a nice walk.  :)

I have two very different cards for two different challenges. What the cards share is that they feature a sentiment from my first set of stamp sentiments. Still love this font.

Card 1: CFC #130 to Make a Project featuring Ovals

After mulling this over for a week, I decided to go in a rather unexpected direction. I used ovals to create this little tulip peeking out from its vase. 

Love the simplicity of the palette and the flower's design. Also really like the texture of the white cardstock. I originally thought about using different embossing folders to create different, contrasting textures. But, chose to stay with the texture of the paper for the flower and vase -- popping the whole thing against the taupe background.

white paper: Cardstock Warehouse Paper Co; taupe: Bazzill ???
Creative Memories oval cutting system
Stampin' Up! oval punch; Paper Shaper circle punch
TPC sentiment heat embossed in SU white powder
Tombow foam adhesives

• Step 1: Cut an oval for the vase. Then use a circle punch to cut out the top and a paper cutter to make the vase's flat bottom.
• Step 2: Cut out a "rounder" oval for the tulip head, cutting out a section of the oval to create the appearance of the tulip head.
• Step 3: Use my Staedler bendable ruler to draw a curved section that I cut out to form the stem.
• Step 4: Use the piece punched out from the first oval as one leaf. Then cut another oval, punching out a section for the second leaf.
• Step 5: Piece together the tulip and vase.
• Step 6: Repeat Steps 1-5 to form a second tulip from the taupe cardstock for the inside of the card.

So, I hope this isn't too far out of the box to meet CFC's challenge criteria. But, I have to say, I'm really pleased with the way this little card turned out.  And, maybe... just maybe... I'm getting the hand of this CAS thing.  :)

Card 2: ODBD April Challenge

Our Daily Bread Design is continuing its generous support of Operation Write Home. Thanks so much, ODBD! This month's challenge is to make a card featuring an insect, or two, ... or eleven. :)

Since OWH is always in need of Missing You cards, that seemed like the perfect sentiment for the card below.

My Mind's Eye moments; Distress Ink core scattered straw; Bazzill admiral
TPC Studio sentiment in Night of Navy on Recollections white cardstock
garage sale brads; Tombow foam adhesives

Parting Thoughts

Hoping to get back to some more Father's Day cards in between challenges.

Thanks for stoppin' and happy scrapping!

All Alone in the City

Hi, everyone.

Last December, I won a holiday raffle basket at work that had some Michael's gift cards. So, I took those cards -- and a 50% off coupon -- and purchased a Big Shot/Big Kick. Boy, do I feel like a whole new card-making world has opened up to me!

As soon as I saw these amazing Paper Smooches dies, I had visions of a city scape in my head. After researching stair step folds on the internet, I came up with a game plan for this card. Luckily, I found a little time this afternoon to work on my idea.

Bazzill admiral (really, it is), AC and stash gray (and white) cardstock
Paper Smooches dies
TPC Studio sentiment in SU Night of Navy
Hero Arts crystal gems

Score Dimensions

To achieve the cityscape, I used 3 shades of gray, placing the lightest shade on the blue base. And, I ran each shade through the Big Shot twice -- once with the textured side facing up and once with it down -- to be able to flip the buildings.

Thought about using Paper Smooches Alphadot stamps for a sentiment. But, I decided on a more romantic-feeling font so that this could be an Operation Write Home "Miss You" card.

This month's CAS-ual Fridays challenge is to make a card using at least two shades of gray. So, think I'll link up this little city scape for the first challenge with the new DT.

And, since I'm using Paper Smooches dies, think I'll link this little card up there, too.

As always, thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Two Challenges.... Two Any Hero Cards

Hi, everyone.

Hope everybody's having a great weekend. Can't believe we've gotten a couple more inches of snow today. At least it can look like spring in the menopause room.

Blog Candy

This is actually the 18th post published at my new blog. So, I'm offering some blog candy to celebrate my upcoming 20th post.

To thank those of  you who have followed me here, and to welcome those of you who would like to join us, I will be giving gift certificates to Really Reasonable Ribbon to three lucky followers: two $5 certificates and one $10 certificate.

To qualify, just sign up to follow before post #21. :)

Today's Cards

I have two cards -- one inspired by the CAS-ual Fridays challenge to make a card featuring something that extends off the card's edge(s) and the one inspired by OWH Sketch #211.

Distress Ink core paper; Authentique Pride
Stamper's Best sentiment in Distress Ink chipped sapphire
Paper Smooches twine; sequins, adhered with Glossy Accents

Bo Bunny Anthem; Bazzill Admiral
Crate Paper Cottage Collection (for neutral matting between dp)
Recollections jute; garage sale brads
Unity sentiment in StazOn black
Tombow foam adhesive; Creative Memories cutting system

Parting Thoughts

Think I might have a few hours to work on a couple of mom cards. I was planning on sending in my box later in the month -- or even the beginning of next month. But, it sounds like OWH needs cards sooner than later. :)

A quick reminder about the "colourful" Olympic challenge going on at Words 2 Scrap By.

Finally, enjoy the rest of the weekend! Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Hi, everyone!

The card below was inspired by CAS-ual Friday's color block challenge. A fellow OWHer just mailed me a cute little branch and leaf stamp set. So, I think this stamp set was on my brain when I read this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge. Terra cotta pots immediately popped into my head when I thought about blocks of color.

stamps: a gift  :), but maker unknown  :(
Distress Ink (vintage photo) and Distress Ink core paper (tea die)
Creative Memories square punch, SU word window punch
DCWV vellum "Quote Stacks"
sequins, adhered with Glossy Accents and/or glue dots; Paper Studio brad

I used the square punch to form the pots and hand cut the tapered sides. Then I used the word window punch for the tops of the pots, again cutting off the curved ends.

And, why use stamped buds or leaves when a little bling will do?

Finally, I chose not do anything with the vellum quote, other than using a clear sequin to cover the glue dot. I tried a variety of options before choosing to leave it as because all the options seemed to take away the focus on the color blocks. The picture linked to CAS-ual Fridays had only a clear sequin in the top left corner. As you can see, I've since added a green sequin and teeny, tiny brad to the center of the original sequin.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the way this turned out. Not sure if it will go to OWH, or stay with me to give to a friend at just the right time.

Parting Thoughts

I am partnering with a card-making friend to host a new card-making challenge blog. The deadline to submit an entry for our debut challenge is Tuesday, if you're interested in checking it out. Our prize for this month is a stamp set of your choice from Paper Smooches!

Thanks for stopping and happy scrappin'!